Recycling electric vehicle (EV) batteries and the critical minerals inside them could play a central role in Türkiye’s drive for energy independence, according to a new study by the Ankara-based Technology Development Foundation (TTGV).
The preliminary research said reusing minerals recovered from used EV batteries would allow Türkiye to reduce reliance on imports, helping offset the country’s current account deficit, much of which stems from energy costs. The study noted investments in battery production facilities in Türkiye have already exceeded $1 billion.
Serdar Gokpinar, director of innovative technology programs at TTGV, told Anadolu that the main obstacles in battery production are the need for high-quality materials such as lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, copper, and aluminum, along with the sensitivity of the production process.
While lithium reserves are concentrated in countries including Australia, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, he said. Türkiye’s deposits are limited and insufficient to meet its needs. He noted the Democratic Republic of the Congo holds 60% of the world’s cobalt, while China dominates not only reserves but also processing capacity at the highest purity levels, alongside the US.
Gokpinar stressed that reserves of lithium and copper could become harder to extract by 2035, underscoring that recycling will be vital. He identified China and the EU as leading players in battery recycling.
“When Chinese EVs entered the European market, it was as if the Chinese said ‘You may use the vehicles, but the batteries are ours,’ because when one can collect the batteries, these batteries can reveal mines in themselves,” he said.
"Negotiations are ongoing as the EU is moving forward with efforts to keep these batteries in the region—which Türkiye should also perhaps do—and also to pass regulations to use recycled materials in battery production at certain rates in 2031 and at increased rates in 2036," he added. "The EU wants the percentage of recycled lithium in batteries to be 6% in 2031 and 12% in 2036."
Gokpinar said Türkiye’s Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate (MTA) has taken initial steps on battery recycling, but regulatory support is needed. TTGV has completed in-depth research and will soon announce projects to support the sector.
“Battery recycling is of great significance to Türkiye, as we lack certain critical minerals—every step taken in the energy sector matters significantly to the country,” he said.
“This issue is key in our strategic energy independence since a portion of Türkiye’s current account deficit is derived from energy—the efforts towards battery recycling (and energy as a whole) can alleviate or even eliminate this deficit.”
-Rise of EVs
Some 17.3 million EVs were produced worldwide last year, up 25%, according to the International Energy Agency. China led with 12.4 million units, or 70% of global output, followed by the EU with 2.4 million and the US with 1.1 million.
In Türkiye, EV use is also accelerating. The number of electric cars on the road rose about 121% to over 280,000 by the end of July, with domestic brand Togg driving much of the growth.
Reporting by Yeter Ado Seko
Writing by Emir Yildirim
Anadolu Agency
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